Lee County: Music fine-tunes Robert Thomas’ ministry

Music has been a lifelong love for Robert Thomas. As a child, he took piano
lessons in the first and second grades. However, that did not ignite his passion.
Later, his father taught him to play the guitar. From there, Thomas taught himself more licks.
This became a lifelong love. He was a member of his high school glee club for four years.
He has recently begun performing as Robert C. Thomas Acoustic Music; he performs Gospel,
country Gospel, classic country, and blues.
While music remained a constant in Thomas’ life, later in life, he found a new love: preaching
the Gospel of Jesus.
Thomas felt a calling to preach. He enrolled at Carolina Bible College in Fayetteville (now called
the Carolina College of Biblical Studies). He eventually graduated and was ordained.
Sixteen years ago, he became the pastor for The only surviving Collins girl, Cathi C. Patterson, 64, of Carthage, North Carolina, enjoyed an honorary family reunion June 28, 2025 at the Carthage Town Hall. Over 100 family members joined the celebration., which is non denominational.
In between high school and Bible College, Thomas worked with the sheriff’s department, drove
a farm produce truck, and was an equipment operator with the NC Forestry Service.
Throughout the years, he and his wife of nearly 50 years, Susan, were members of the Living
Waters Quartet. They would perform Gospel music all over North Carolina.
Thomas and Susan have two children, Shannon and David.
Music is a tradition in the Thomas family. Shannon married John Godfrey, a former member of
Workin’ on Commission, a local contemporary Christian group. Shannon, John and their
daughters, Savannah and Lauren, perform at local churches as a quartet.

Robert C. Thomas Acoustic Music – 2-

The music tradition continues with David’s daughter, Sophie Jo, who joins her grandfather when
he performs with Front Porch Ministry, a group of musicians that perform old Gospel and
country Gospel songs.
Thomas and his family view music as a ministry. Those who have heard the family perform tend
to agree.

June 24, 2025

Lee County- Roxanne Ray